Gus Abelgas, Gerry Baja, and Jasmin Romero, top broadcasters of the year

DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, has another reason to celebrate after being hailed as the Radio Station of the Year at the Rotary Club of Manila’s (RCM) annual Journalism Awards held at the New World Hotel ballroom last June 30. The flagship AM radio station of ABS-CBN and the number one AM radio station in Mega Manila, DZMM also received the same honor last year.

“We are humbled by this acknowledgement of our efforts by the Rotary Club of Manila. We always strive to be faithful to the needs of our audience, whether it’s news, analysis and commentary or public service events. This recognition serves to remind us why we do what we do. DZMM, and the entire ABS-CBN News, will continue to respond to needs of the Filipino. We’ve been doing it for 30 years, and we remain focused on continuing this mission in the years to come,” said Ging Reyes, head of the ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs.

ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, won three other distinctions to be the most awarded news organization that night.

“S.O.C.O.: Scene of the Crime Operatives” host Gus Abelgas was awarded the Television Male Broadcaster of the Year, while “Dos Por Dos” anchor Gerry Baja took home the Radio Broadcaster of the Year award.

Abelgas’ long-running crime investigative program has consistently rated high in its weekend timeslot, with viewers tuning in to learn how to protect their families based on the experiences featured in the show. Baja, meanwhile, continues to provide news analysis and sharp commentary on issues in his radio program.

Fellow DZMM anchor and reporter, Jasmin Romero, was honored by RCM as Radio Female Broadcaster of the Year. While also reporting for ABS-CBN on TV, Romero showed she is still tops in the platform where she first made a name for herself.

Now on its 30th year, DZMM has constantly evolved to reach more Filipinos. It has the first-ever radio-television simulcast in DZMM TeleRadyo on SkyCable and ABS-CBN TVplus, while it also offers audio streaming on its website www.dzmm.com.ph and news updates on Twitter and Facebook (@DZMMTeleRadyo).

These triumphs of ABS-CBN came on the heels of a successful Inauguration Day coverage dubbed “Ang Panunumpa: Pangako ng Pagbabago,” which rated higher than its competitors according to ratings data provider Kantar Media. ABS-CBN’s coverage garnered an 18.8% national TV rating while GMA’s coverage only managed 13.4%.

One of the oldest and most prestigious award-giving bodies in journalism, the RCM Journalism Awards has been recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations in Philippine media annually since 1966.